IARC launches public consultation on cervical cancer screening approaches

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is now inviting feedback from the public and interest-holders on screening and triage tests for individuals who screen positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), to be considered when defining the final list of screening and triage approaches to be addressed in the European Cervical Cancer Prevention Guidelines. This public consultation follows the recent publication of recommendations from the Expert Working Group of the European Commission Initiative on Cervical Cancer (EC-CvC) specifying age to start, age to stop, and primary screening test to be used for screening for cervical cancer.

The EC-CvC Expert Working Group is reviewing (i) HPV messenger RNA (mRNA) detection tests compared with HPV DNA detection tests and (ii) HPV self-collection (swab and urine) compared with HPV provider-collected tests as viable screening approaches. Triage approaches under consideration include (i) biomarker-based tests, including protein markers (e.g. p16, Ki-67, E6/E7) and DNA methylation assays; (ii) cytology-based triage using different cut-off thresholds (ASC-US, LSIL, ASC-H, HSIL); (iii) HPV genotyping approaches using limited or extended genotyping (e.g. HPV16/18 or broader panels), alone or combined with cytology or biomarker tests; and (iv) visual/optical assessment methods, with or without artificial intelligence (AI)-based interpretation. Triage in cervical cancer screening refers to additional testing of HPV-positive individuals to stratify risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 2 or higher (CIN2+) and guide management.

We welcome comments on the clinical relevance, feasibility, and potential impact of these strategies or suggestions of other tests, with the relevant supporting documentation. Comments can be submitted via a dedicated publicly accessible website. Comments should be substantiated by evidence stating the rationale and/or supporting publications or other public documentation.

Submit comments on the dedicated webpage

Visit the webpage of the EC-CvC Expert Working Group 

Read the recently published EC-CvC recommendations